SMITE goes free-to-play on the Nintendo Switch

By Alexander Lee ·

1m ago

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Yesterday, Hi-Rez Studios announced that SMITE, the developer’s popular multiplayer online battle arena title, would go free-to-play on the Nintendo Switch. Though the game has long been free-to-play on other platforms, the only option for Switch users to play SMITE was via the Founder’s Pack closed beta, which was released on the console in late January for the price of $29.99.

As of yesterday, the game can now be downloaded for no charge off of the Nintendo Switch eShop. This updated free-to-play version features a number of updates, including the ability to participate in cross-platform play with PC and Xbox One users.

As SMITE user numbers have flagged—according to SteamCharts, the game has seen a decrease of nearly 3,000 average concurrent players since last February—the addition of a new console could boost the game’s popularity and draw in new demographics. Furthermore, the addition of cross-play will decrease queue times for players across all platforms.

A move to the Switch may also be advantageous for the developers of SMITE due to the relative lack of competition that they currently face on the console. At the time of publication, the only other mainstream MOBA game available on the Switch eShop is Arena of Valor.

Switch owners with extra money to throw around can support the SMITE team by purchasing the Ultimate God Pack, which offers players access to all 100 gods currently in the game, alongside any additional deities added in the future, for $29.99.